“‘Well,’ said Pooh, ‘what I like best,’ and then he had to stop and think. Because although eating honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called.’” Author AA Milne wrote for his popular fictional cartoon character Winnie the Pooh.

Since olden times, honey has been used not only to enrich food products but also for its medicinal properties. Honey is known to have plant compounds that offer several health benefits.

The sweet, syrupy substance that bees produce from the nectar of flowering plants is widely used as a sweetener in food products. Bees collect nectar, consume, digest and spit it inside the beehive. Wax-like structures known as honeycombs are the storage spots for honey. Many kinds of honey are available in the market, based on the plant source and the process of extraction.

Sage honey, clover honey, eucalyptus honey, orange blossom honey, avocado honey, buckwheat honey, blueberry honey and alfalfa honey are some of the most common types. According to various diet charts, a single tablespoon of honey is known to have almost 64 calories and 17 grams of carbohydrates. Good quality honey is also rich in antioxidant content such as phenolic acids and flavonoids.

Here are five benefits of incorporating honey in your daily food intake.

Home remedy for common cold

Honey is the best ingredient to treat cold and serious throat ailments. One tablespoon of honey can reduce irritation in the throat and nocturnal coughs.

Improves heart health

Swapping sugar for honey has several health benefits, especially in reducing the risk of heart diseases and helps decrease the cholesterol level.

Heals wounds

The antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties in honey make it effective in treating skin injuries and destroying the bacteria.

Strengthens immune system

Honey can easily fight off virus, bacteria and fungi from the body. Doctors say that buckwheat honey has the highest number of antioxidants and it can boost immunity in the long run.

Natural energy drink

The naturally processed sugar content in honey enters the bloodstream and helps enable an individual to maintain their energy level.

What’s more, honey also helps keep dandruff at bay, boosts memory, helps in weight management and is also a sleeping aid. So, what are you waiting for? Get a bottle of honey from the market right away.